PYEONGCHANG, South Korea – Of the hundreds of emails that the agent of openly gay U.S. Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon has been receiving over the past couple of weeks, one stood out.

It was from a young man, an 18-year-old from the Midwest, who said he was gay but comes from a family that doesn’t accept his sexuality, Rippon’s agent, David Baden, said in a phone interview Monday.

“The young man said he’s been struggling so much and felt he had no way out,” Baden said, “but when he heard about Adam’s story, he felt that Adam was giving him hope. He said Adam’s bravery inspired him to write and that even though he’s still struggling, seeing Adam as such an incredible example helps him.”

After reading the email, Baden, who is in South Korea for the Winter Olympics, had one thought: “Adam needs to see this.”

So he forwarded the email to Rippon, figuring that he likely wouldn’t get a chance to read it for a few days because of his training and preparation for the Olympic figure skating team competition, in which he skated the men’s long program for the United States Monday.

After his performance, which helped secure the bronze medal for the USA, I asked Rippon about the young man and his email.

“I haven’t talked to him yet,” Rippon said. “I just saw the email this morning.”

Asked if he was planning to reply, Rippon said:

“Absolutely. It’s so important. I would just tell him that there’s nothing more liberating than to really own who you are. It’s one of the best feelings in the world to be comfortable with who you are, not care what other people think and just really embrace your true potential because that’s really when you realize that anything is possible.”

Rippon, 28, who said he was bullied and teased as a boy growing up in Scranton, Pa., came out publicly as being gay in an October 2015 story in Skating magazine. He often talks about how he hopes his story can help others, especially young people who might be struggling with their sexuality.

“I think that being vocal has kind of given my skating more importance,” Rippon said. “It’s not just for me. I go out there because it’s not just, oh, I was a young gay kid. Everybody can relate to being different, or feeling like they’re not good enough. … I had those doubts too. I can go out there and I want to show those young kids that anything is possible.

“It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what other people say about you. You can put that all behind you and you can go out there and you can show the world what you have to offer. … I think coming to the Olympics has been a really wonderful opportunity for me to share my viewpoint. It’s given my skating a greater purpose.”

Rippon also has been involved in a high-profile war of words with Vice President Pence over gay rights, beginning with Rippon’s criticism of Pence’s record in my USA TODAY Sports story Jan. 17. Rippon’s profile, already on the rise after becoming the first openly gay athlete to qualify for a U.S. Winter Olympic team, has grown exponentially since he decided to take on Pence, attracting quite a bit of attention, especially in the gay community.

“Most of the emails Adam is getting are emails of support, and I’m saving them for him,” Baden said. “But this one from that young man was different. This one resonated with me for Adam. I’m thinking to myself, ‘This is why you’re doing this. This is the kind of kid you’re reaching. You need to know that.’

Elizabet Tursynbaeva Kazakhstan competes in the women's free skate program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Elizabet Tursynbaeva Kazakhstan competes in the women's free skate program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Alina Zagitova an Olympic Athlete from Russia performs in the ladies figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Kaetlyn Osmond from Canada performs in the ladies figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Evgenia Medvedeva an Olympic Athlete from Russia performs in the ladies figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. JAMES LANG, USA TODAY Sports

Evgenia Medvedeva an Olympic Athlete from Russia reacts in the kiss and cry area during the ladies figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Elizabet Tursynbaeva from Kazakhstan performs in the ladies figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. JAMES LANG, USA TODAY Sports

Mirai Nagasu from the U.S. performs in the ladies figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Ivett Toth from Hungary performs in the ladies figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Mae Berenice Meite from France performs in the ladies figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. JAMES LANG, USA TODAY Sports

Mirai Nagasu from the U.S. reacts in the kiss and cry area after the ladies figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Maria Sotskova an Olympic Athlete from Russia performs in the ladies figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. JAMES LANG, USA TODAY Sports

Maria Sotskova an Olympic Athlete from Russia falls in the ladies figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Bradie Tennell from the U.S. performs in the ladies figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Diana Nikitina from Latvia performs in the ladies figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier from Canada perform in the figure skating free dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Kavita Lorenz and Joti Polizoakis from Germany perform in the figure skating free dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Natalia Kaliszek and Maksym Spodyriev from Poland perform in the figure skating free dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Tiffani Zagorski and Jonathan Guerreiro, both Olympic Athletes from Russia, perform in the figure skating free dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the U.S. perform in the figure skating free dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ANDREW NELLES, USA TODAY Sports

Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitri Soloviev, both Olympic Athletes from Russia, perform in the figure skating free dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir from Canada perform in the figure skating free dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue from the U.S. perform in the figure skating free dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ANDREW NELLES, USA TODAY Sports

Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the U.S. during ice dance figure skating training for the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani from the U.S. perform in the short dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue from the U.S. wait for their results in the short dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Tiffani Zagorski and Jonathan Guerreiro, Olympic Athletes from Russia, perform in the short dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Sara Hurtado and Kirill Khaliavin from Spain perform in the short dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. DANIEL POWERS, USA TODAY Sports

Penny Coomes and Nicholas Buckland from Great Britain perform in the short dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Yura Min and Alexander Gamelin from Korea perform in the short dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. DANIEL POWERS, USA TODAY Sports

Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani from the U.S. perform in the short dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Madison Chock and Evan Bates from the U.S. perform in the short dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. DANIEL POWERS, USA TODAY Sports

Alexandra Nazarova and Maxim Nikitin from the Ukraine perform in the short dance event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Keegan Messing from Canada competes in the mens figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Keegan Messing from Canada competes in the mens figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Morisi Kvitelashvili from Georgia falls in the mens figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Brendan Kerry from Australia competes in the mens figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Julian Zhi Jie Yee from Malaysia competes in the mens figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. GEOFF BURKE, USA TODAY Sports

Julian Zhi Jie Yee from Malaysiaas competes in the mens figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Yaroslav Paniot from Ukraine competes in the mens figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. GEOFF BURKE, USA TODAY Sports

Vincent Zhou from the U.S. competes in the mens figure skating short program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Julianne Seguin and Charlie Bilodeau from Canada compete in pairs free skating during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Evgenia Tarasova an Olympic Athlete from Russia reacts after competing in pairs free skating during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov both Olympic Athletes from Russia compete in pairs free skating during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot from Germany compete in pairs free skating during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert both Olympic Athletes from Russia compete in pairs free skating during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Valentina Marchei and Ondrej Hotarek from Italy compete in pairs free skating during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Kristina Astakhova and Alexei Rogonov both Olympic Athletes from Russia compete in pairs free skating during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Tae Ok Ryom and Ju Sik Kim from North Korea acknowledge the crowd after they competed in pairs free skating during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Anna Duskova and Martin Bidar from the Czech Republic compete in pairs free skating during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro from Canada compete in pairs free skating during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim from the U.S. compete in pairs free skating during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim from the U.S. compete in pairs free skating during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro from Canada compete in pairs free skating during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov who are Olympic Athletes from Russia compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot of Germany compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot of Germany compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot of Germany compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert who are Olympic Athletes from Russia compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Valentina Marchei and Ondrej Hotarek of Italy react after their routine in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Valentina Marchei and Ondrej Hotarek of Italy compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Valentina Marchei and Ondrej Hotarek of Italy compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Valentina Marchei and Ondrej Hotarek of Italy compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Nicole Della Monica and Matteo Guarise of Italy compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov who are Olympic Athletes from Russia compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Anna Duskova and Martin Bidar of the Czech Republic compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Julianne Seguin and Charlie Bilodeau of Canada compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim of the U.S. compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro of Canada compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro of Canada compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Tae Ok Ryom and Ju Sik Kim of North Korea react after their routine in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Tae Ok Ryom and Ju Sik Kim of North Korea react after their routine in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT HANASHIRO, USA TODAY

Kristina Astakhova and Alexei Rogonov of Olympic Athlete from Russia compete in the Pairs Short Program during the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games at Gangneung Ice Arena in Pyeongchang, South Korea. ROBERT DEUTSCH, USA TODAY